Preface to the Revised Edition

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

The first edition of this book was published in 1970 as the third unit of the Islamic Correspondence Course (ICC), initiated and run by the Bilal Muslim Mission of Tanzania. The aim was to provide in simple language the answers to many questions which are frequently asked not only by the youths but also by the grown‑ups.

Since then it has been reprinted several times in Tanzania and Kenya. Also its Swahili translation, Udilify Wa Mungu, by Sayyid Muhammad Ridha Shustary, was published in 1985 at Dar es salaam.

As the original work was meant to serve as a text book, it was not necessary to give references for the topics described therein. But the book did not remain confined to the students of the ICC; and requests for its copies have been coming from far and wide.

Some more references have been added by me. Also some revisions and additions have been made by me here and there. Unfortunately, it has taken a much longer time to get this revised and annotated version printed.

We are thankful to the Vancouver Islamic Educa­tional Foundation (Canada) for typesetting of the book. May Allah give them its reward in both worlds.